The Great Gatsby

THE GREAT GATSBY

Written by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Presented by: Lord Youarsh

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, is set during the Roaring Twenties in the fictional towns of West Egg and East Egg on Long Island, New York. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who rents a modest house next to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is known for throwing lavish parties in hopes of reconnecting with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, who lives across the bay with her wealthy but arrogant husband, Tom. As Nick becomes entangled in the lives of Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, he uncovers the illusions behind their glamorous lifestyles. At its heart, the novel explores themes of the American Dream, love, wealth, and moral decay. With lyrical prose and rich symbolism, like the green light and the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, Fitzgerald critiques the hollow pursuit of success in a society driven by materialism. The story’s tragic ending reinforces the idea that dreams built on illusion cannot survive the harsh truths of reality.

FREYTAG’S PYRAMID

EXPOSITION

Set in the summer of 1922, the novel introduces Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and World War I veteran who moves to West Egg, Long Island, to work in the bond business. He becomes neighbors with the elusive millionaire Jay Gatsby, whose extravagant parties are the talk of the town. The reader is introduced to Gatsby from a distance, through rumors and mystery. Nick reconnects with his cousin Daisy Buchanan, who lives in East Egg with her wealthy, arrogant husband Tom, and meets Jordan Baker, a friend of Daisy's. Themes of wealth, class, and disillusionment begin to surface.

INCITING INCIDENT

Nick learns that Gatsby and Daisy had a romantic past before she married Tom. Gatsby, still in love with Daisy, wants to see her again. Gatsby uses Jordan to ask Nick to invite Daisy over for tea. This reunion is the turning point that initiates Gatsby’s attempt to reclaim the past and re-establish their love.

RISING ACTION

Gatsby and Daisy start seeing each other in secret. Gatsby believes their love can be restored completely, as if the years and her marriage to Tom never happened. Tension builds between Gatsby and Tom, who begins to suspect the affair. The class divide between Gatsby’s “new money” and Tom’s “old money” background becomes more evident. Gatsby’s idealism and obsession grow stronger, while cracks in Daisy’s loyalty start to show.

CLIMAX

The emotional and narrative peak occurs in the Plaza Hotel scene, where Gatsby insists that Daisy declare she never loved Tom. Under pressure, Daisy cannot deny her feelings for Tom entirely. This is the moment Gatsby’s dream shatters, his belief that he could recreate the past with Daisy is proven false. The illusion of love and control slips away.

FALLING ACTION

On the way back from the confrontation, Daisy, driving Gatsby’s car, accidentally kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress. Gatsby takes responsibility to protect Daisy. Tom, meanwhile, tells George Wilson that Gatsby owns the car and suggests he was Myrtle’s lover. Wilson, consumed by grief and vengeance, finds Gatsby at his mansion and kills him, then takes his own life.

RESOLUTION

Gatsby’s death is met with indifference by most characters. Daisy and Tom quietly leave town, avoiding consequences. Despite Gatsby’s vast social circle, only Nick, Gatsby’s father, and a few servants attend the funeral. Disillusioned by the moral decay and emptiness of the wealthy, Nick ends his relationship with Jordan and returns to the Midwest. The novel closes with Nick’s reflection on Gatsby’s dreams, the passage of time, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

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